Getting a Handle on Heat Stress

* Beware of heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat stroke when your involved in strenuous activity in environments of 90°F or above* Take time to allow your body to adjust to high-heat, high-humidity environments before exertion begins

* If you work in protective clothing and equipment your chances of heat stress are greatly increased

* In work environments of 81°F or above, experts recommend no employee spend more than 15 minutes of any one hour in a impervious suit unless cooling has been provided to the suit, or the employee is wearing a heat stress monitor * Don't depend on thirst of sweat as an indicator of escalating body heat. Thirst is not always a dependable gauge and sweat may evaporate quickly, especially in dry-heat environments

* Be aware of the temperature and humidity and drink fluids with electrolytes at regular intervals

* Remember, it is mush easier to prevent heat stress injuries than to recover from them. * Be aware of the environment in which you work and drink fluids with electrolytes on a regular basis thought the work day

Types of Leathers

Know for it's extreme durability and breath-ability cow leather is a very popular material in most modern day gloves

Cow: Due to its availability, cow leather is the most commonly used leather in the glove industry. Its advantages include comfort, excellent abrasion, and breath-ability. Chrome tanning on this leather provides greater wear and heat resistance too.

Pig: Pigskin offers the greatest breath-ability thanks to its porous texture. Additionally, Pigskin tends to become softer with use and withstand moisture without stiffening. When laundered it will return to its natural soft texture, more so than other leathers.

Goat: Independent tests have proven this leather to be the strongest and most durable. Plus the natural lanolin produced by goats help to make it the softest and most abrasion resistant of the leathers. Goat leather is highly recommended for applications requiring tactile sensitivity.

Layers of Leather

Grain: This is the smooth external side of the hide. It offers excellent durability and dexterity

Split: This is the rougher, internal side of the hide. There are three types of split leather too. Side, Shoulder and Belly.

Cuts of Split Leather

* Side Split: The cut come from the rib area of the animal and is more durable, providing the greatest protection because of its greater fiber density.

* Shoulder Split: This cut of leather is more economical than the side, but is less durable because of the movement of the animal. That means less fibers and a more visible texture.* Belly Split: Of all the cuts this is the most economical. It also has the least consistency of the texture and appearance.